Although China as the second largest world economy may be in an economic slump, investors are seeking out silver as a value alternative investment. Silver climbed 15% this year and ETF’s holding silver have gained 6.5%.

Singapore currently controls roughly 2% of global gold demand and aims to grow that share to some 10% to 15% over the next five to 10 years. A market expansion is expected to increase global demand for gold and silver bars and coins in the fourth quarter.

Who knew that the yuan would be one of the big winners from Ben Bernanke’s QE3? Since the surprise announcement in mid-September, the Chinese currency has appreciated by 1.1%, and higher climes beckon.

After three decades of tremendous expansion, the new generation of Chinese leaders will have to carefully maneuver the country into the next decade, towing the line between maintaining stability and continuing the political and economic reform.

Interpreting China’s economic future as having only two possible paths is an oversimplification. China’s economy is complex and, with an uncertain global backdrop, several in-between scenarios are possible.

China owns less than 1% of the world’s chrome reserves. However, thanks to strong growth in stainless steel demand and relatively cheap production costs, China has overtaken South Africa in the first half of 2012 to become the world’s largest ferrochrome producer.

This region is flush with resources – as much as 213 billion barrels of oil (10 times the proven US reserves) and 900 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (equal to all the reserves held by Qatar). There's also a rich fishing ground that employs thousands and feeds millions.

If legendary investor Jim Rogers is right, not only is Recession 2013 unavoidable, it's going to be a doozy."Be very worried about 2013 and be very worried about 2014, because that's when the next slowdown comes," Rogers said recently.